News Room

LAUP Names Scott Hippert as New CEO

June 28, 2016

Los Angeles, CA – LAUP Board Chair David Crippens has announced that Scott Hippert will become the next CEO of LAUP, succeeding Dr. Celia C. Ayala effective August 29, 2016. Hippert currently serves as the president and CEO of Parents as Teachers, a nationally recognized voice for early childhood education with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

Scott Hippert is a highly respected nonprofit leader with a successful track record of creating and strengthening initiatives for the youngest generation of Americans so that they will be successful in school and life. He brings to LAUP more than a decade of experience in managing early childhood initiatives and public policy advocacy – at the regional, state and national levels. His experience leading nonprofits and large-scale initiatives spans several decades.

Hippert joins LAUP at a time of evolution and growth for the organization. Building on 12 years of success and grounded in its new strategic plan, LAUP is moving forward with a renewed focus on early education quality and excellence, workforce development, strategic partnerships and advocating for broad, sustainable public funding.

“Scott’s track record as a strong administrator and that of an innovator portends well for the future of LAUP in its service to children and families of Los Angeles County,” said Crippens. “The LAUP board truly looks forward to his tenure as our new CEO.”

Prior to his chief executive role at Parents as Teachers, Hippert served as president of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation in Richmond, Va. where he successfully launched the startup of a public/private/nonprofit partnership that provided support to school-readiness initiatives throughout Virginia. He also served as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Ready 4 K in St. Paul, Minn., and directed public awareness and funding efforts for Family and Children’s Service, one of the state’s largest community/family service agencies. He spent his early career in broadcast and telecommunications, serving as an executive news producer, anchor and reporter.

“I am excited to join such a dynamic organization whose Board has helped LAUP set a national standard for quality ECE,” said Hippert. “I share the Board’s commitment to increasing early education program quality and capacity, and I look forward to working with our partner organizations to take LAUP to even higher levels of impact and innovation.”

Hippert succeeds Dr. Celia C. Ayala, who has dedicated over 40 years to improving early care and education as an educator and leader in California, including a six-year tenure as LAUP’s CEO. Under her leadership, LAUP’s advocacy efforts helped infuse millions of dollars into early childhood programs and developed the comprehensive strategic plan that sets LAUP on a steady path for future growth. “I am delighted to support Scott as I move into my new role as a senior advisor to LAUP, said Ayala. “LAUP is thriving, and we are excited that Scott is coming to guide LAUP’s next era of impact.”